Mr Crabbe provided a brief over view of his employment
history, noting that several roles had brought him in contact with irrigation
and water use, and he had had the opportunity to learn about the Hawke’s
Bay aquifer in this way.

He noted that the aquifer is confined with most wells under
positive pressure. Water that is not used runs under pressure towards the
sea.

Mr Crabbe noted that the Chief Executive had made a
statement that the low water level emergency towards the end of 2017 was
created by overuse of water by the public.

Mr Crabbe challenged this statement, saying it was his
belief that there were a number of issues with the Council system that created
the shortage. He contended that Council monitoring equipment had not been
working at the time; Council should have brought in more pumps and did not; the
Guppy Road bore was out of commission; and the recently constructed reservoir
is not able to be used as the roof is leaking.

Mr Crabbe stated that he believed the people of Napier did
not create the problem, but rather the Chief Executive and staff of Council
did. He stated that there is plenty of water and the issue is with
Council’s infrastructure –if more storage is required, provide
this; if more wells are required, put these in place.

He noted that close to the 300ml well at the River end of
Guppy Road is a 75ml well which could be brought online at little cost. Under
the Human Rights Act people could choose to use this well, at their own risk.
Daily monitoring could be undertaken of this well at the same time as the 300
ml bore.

Announcements by
the Mayor

Nil

Announcements by
the Chairperson

The Chair noted that compared to many international cities
recently visited while on leave, Napier is extremely well presented and is a
credit to the Council staff.

Announcements by
the management

Nil

Confirmation of minutes

Councillors Wright / Taylor

That the Minutes
of the meeting held on 22 November 2017 were taken as a true and accurate
record of the meeting.

·The Hawke’s Bay Land Empowering Act applies to revenue
generated rather than capital gained from a sale; more clarification on this
will be provided as and when any sales are proposed.

·The Act allows Council to sell leasehold land at its
discretion; regardless of where the land is located. The income from the sale
would be ring-fenced for reinvestment in another revenue producing asset. All
the proceeds are targeted for use in the marine/ harbour area.

·Funding the inner harbour is important for Council to protect
on behalf of rate payers. Each potential sale would be approached on a case
by case basis and assessed by the Audit and Risk Committee to ensure that the
lease is being replaced by an appropriate other income opportunity.

·Previous consultation on the topic had indicated strong support
from current lessees. There were very few submissions raising concerns, and
most of these noted that ensuring that investments were protected on behalf
of ratepayers was the key focus. Council agrees that this is extremely
important and any proposed sale would only progress should an equally or more
lucrative replacement investment have been found.

a. Direct
officers to consult on the proposed Investment Property Portfolio policy
changes as part of the Long Term Plan process, including the following
amendments:

· To
allow freeholding of specific land identified in the June 2016 Boffa Miskell
report “Napier City Investment Portfolio: Urban Landscape Strategic
review” as non-strategic, on a case by case basis and only when
alternative and suitable investments can be found.

· That
recommendations on the freeholding of all identified non- strategic land be
considered by the Audit and Risk Committee in the first instance for
recommendation to Council.

· That
the sale of leasehold land be a delegation of Council.

· That
a divestment procedure be established and approved by Council resolution
prior to the release of any leasehold land, should the policy be adopted.

·Consultation with retailers in the Emerson Street area was
undertaken by the Napier City Business Association on behalf of Council.

·Feedback was primarily positive on the street party.

·Retailers wanted assurances that food trucks offering similar
food to them would not be positioned in front of their premises, so
positioning was important. They did note that, should the Mission Concert
proceed, the food trucks would help relieve pressure on the cafes from the
large numbers of people in the city.

·Council staff have worked with the tour operators to provide an
alternate route down Dalton Street.

·Signage will be up in affected streets advising the public that
they are now in a liquor ban area. Rubbish bins can be placed by the signs
and in the area so that any bottles and cans are not left on the street.

a. Approve,
pursuant to section 147 of the Local Government Act 2002 and the Napier City
Council Public Places Liquor Control Bylaw 2014, the following areas as a
“Specified Public Place” where the consumption, possession and
bringing of liquor into is prohibited from 09.00 am to 12.00 midnight on
Saturday 17 March 2018.

The area to
be designated as a “Specified Public Place” are all those public
places, reserves, roads and footpaths on both sides of the road within the
area described as:

To obtain
Council approval to grant a new ground lease to the Eskview and Districts Rugby
Football Club Incorporated for the land occupied by the Club’s building
on Petane War Memorial Domain for a term of 15 years with one 15 year right of
renewal.

a. Approve a new ground lease be granted to
the Eskview and Districts Rugby Football Club Incorporated for the land
occupied by the Club’s building on Petane War Memorial Domain for a
term of 15 years with one 15 year right of renewal.

b. Approve that the terms and conditions of the
lease will be as per Council’s standard terms and conditions for leases
of Reserve land to community groups. The initial ground rental will be a
nominal rental of $200.00 plus GST per annum, reviewed annually according to
the method laid out in the standard terms described above.

·The consultation document uses a large number of illustrations
to ensure a wide understanding of the questions as possible. The wording will
also be reviewed to ensure it is as simple and easy to understand as possible
for those whose primary language is not English and so on.

Cr Brosnan advised that a meeting with private waste
operators has been scheduled for 22 February 2018 to discuss the strategy and
receive their feedback.